Adhesives, Dowels & Veneers: The Industrial Choices Shaping Mass Timber - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica explores the industrial choices shaping mass timber production, emphasizing how different manufacturing methods impact costs, carbon footprints, and building applications. Mass timber, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), is gaining attention for its climate benefits by sequestering carbon and replacing more carbon-intensive materials like steel and concrete. Two primary production methods dominate: traditional sawn lumber, which involves milling logs into boards that are dried and glued into layers, and veneer-based processes, where logs are rotary peeled into thin sheets for laminates. The sawn lumber approach leverages existing sawmill infrastructure but suffers from inefficiencies and waste, while veneer-based production achieves higher material utilization and uniform mechanical properties but requires large, capital-intensive facilities. The article also highlights emerging hybrid and experimental manufacturing techniques that blend veneer and sawn lumber or use oriented strand and parallel strand products, often incorporating robotics and automation to reduce labor and waste. A key industry debate centers on the use of adhesives